THE OPPORTUNITY
Wallingford Country Club is seeking a hands-on, member-focused General Manager to lead an established private club in Wallingford, Connecticut. The role calls for a visible, collaborative leader who can strengthen the daily member experience, support excellent golf course conditions, develop a strong service culture, and guide the Club’s financial and operational performance in partnership with the Board of Governors.
As the Club’s chief operating executive, the General Manager will oversee clubhouse, golf, grounds, food and beverage, administrative, and support functions. The position requires balanced leadership: protecting financial health while keeping course conditions, service standards, member satisfaction, staff performance, and long-term priorities in clear focus.
The successful candidate will earn trust with members, staff, and the Board; manage a complex club environment with discipline; and translate priorities into clear action. The General Manager will recommend improvements, solve problems constructively, and keep the Club focused on a high-quality golf and club experience.
The General Manager leads day-to-day management within the policies, budgets, and strategic direction approved by the Board of Governors. The Board retains governance authority; the General Manager leads operations, supervises staff, and recommends improvements based on professional judgment and operational data.
LEADERSHIP PRIORITIES
1. Lead Club Operations with Visibility and Accountability
- Serve as the primary operational leader and representative of Wallingford Country Club.
- Manage the Club’s daily operations and ensure that all departments function effectively and collaboratively.
· Report regularly on operations, member-satisfaction, course conditions, financial performance, staffing, facilities, and strategic priorities.
· Maintain a visible presence and build effective relationships with members, guests, employees, vendors, and community stakeholders.
2. Practice Balanced Financial Stewardship
- Work with the Board, Finance Committee, and appropriate staff to develop the annual operating and capital budgets.
- Oversee the Business Office and it’s staff
- Monitor Club financial performance throughout the year and take appropriate action when actual results differ from budget.
· Identify opportunities to grow revenue, control costs, improve efficiency, and support member-facing priorities.
3. Elevate Member Experience and Communication
- Establish and maintain a strong culture of member service throughout the Club.
- Develop positive relationships with members and maintain open lines of communication.
- Respond professionally and promptly to member concerns, questions, and complaints.
- Support programs, events, activities, and services that enhance membership engagement and retention.
· Communicate regularly with members about operations, programs, improvements, policies, and major initiatives.
4. Build and Support a Strong Team
- Recruit, hire, train, supervise, and evaluate Club employees in accordance with Board-approved policies.
- Establish clear expectations and performance standards for all employees.
- Develop a professional, service-oriented, and accountable staff culture.
- Work with department heads to ensure adequate staffing levels and effective scheduling.
- Promote teamwork and effective communication among all departments.
- Review existing employee handbook, make updates where necessary, ensure all employees are following the employee handbook.
5. Lead an Overall Excellent Golf Experience
· Work with the Head Golf Professional, Golf Course Superintendent, and golf staff to deliver golf operations and course conditions that meet and exceed member expectations.
- Monitor golf-related revenues, expenses, programs, tournaments, leagues, guest policies, and member services.
- Coordinate with the Superintendent and golf staff regarding course conditions, maintenance priorities, projects, and member communications.
· Ensure a high-quality golf experience through strong course presentation, playability, service standards, staffing, and responsible budget management.
6. Maintain Course, Grounds, and Facilities Quality
· Work with the Golf Course Superintendent and staff to maintain excellent course conditions, and pristine grounds, clubhouse, equipment, and property.
- Assist the Board in establishing priorities for capital improvements, equipment replacement, facility upgrades, and major projects.
· Keep the course, grounds, and facilities safe, attractive, clean, playable, and functional.
7. Strengthen Clubhouse, Dining, and Event Experiences
- Oversee the Club’s food and beverage and clubhouse operations, potentially to include service standards, staffing, scheduling, pricing, inventory, and financial performance.
- Work with the Food & Beverage Manager, Chef, or other appropriate personnel to improve member satisfaction and departmental results.
- Monitor food and beverage costs, labor costs, inventory, purchasing, and profitability.
- Support the development of events, dining programs, and activities that encourage member participation.
- Ensure that all applicable food service, health, liquor, and safety regulations are followed.
CANDIDATE PROFILE
The ideal candidate will bring a combination of club or hospitality leadership experience, financial judgment, operational discipline, and a genuine commitment to member service. Preferred qualifications include:
- Bachelor’s degree in business administration, hospitality management, club management, finance, or a related field preferred.
- Minimum of five years of progressive management experience, preferably within a private country club, golf club, hospitality organization, or similar member-service environment.
· Demonstrated experience managing budgets, financial statements, personnel, vendors, daily operations, member-service priorities, and golf course or facility-related planning.
- Strong leadership, communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively with a Board of Directors or Board of Governors.
- Strong understanding of member relations and customer service.
- Experience with strategic planning, capital projects, and organizational development.
- Strong computer skills and familiarity with club management, accounting, point-of-sale, and membership software.
· Ability to analyze financial, operational, member-satisfaction, and course-condition information and communicate findings effectively.
- Knowledge of employment practices, risk management, and regulatory compliance.
- Professional demeanor, sound judgment, integrity, discretion, and accountability.
LEADERSHIP STYLE AND ATTRIBUTES
Wallingford Country Club is seeking a General Manager who is:
A Leader – Provides direction, establishes accountability, and inspires employees to perform at a high level.
Member-Focused – Understands that the Club exists to serve its membership and consistently seeks to improve the member experience.
Financially Responsible – Understands the importance of financial discipline, budgeting, cost control, and long-term financial sustainability.
Golf- and Member-Experience Oriented – Understands that course conditions, playability, service consistency, and member satisfaction are central to the Club’s identity and long-term success.
Strategic – Able to balance the Club’s immediate needs with its long-term vision and strategic objectives.
Collaborative – Works effectively with the Board, committees, department heads, employees, and members.
Visible & Approachable – Maintains a strong presence at the Club and is accessible to members and employees.
Professional & Accountable – Follows through on commitments, communicates openly, and accepts responsibility for results.
Diplomatic – Can navigate differing opinions and interests while maintaining professionalism and focusing on the best interests of the Club.
WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE
Success in this role will be measured by the General Manager’s ability to:
· Balance financial stewardship with strong member satisfaction, excellent golf course conditions, and high-quality Club operations.
· Maintain and improve the golf course, Club facilities, grounds, and other assets.
- Deliver a consistently high level of member satisfaction.
- Develop and retain a professional and effective management team.
- Maintain strong communication with the Board and membership.
- Operate the Club efficiently and within approved budgets.
- Develop and execute annual operating plans.
- Advance the Club’s long-term strategic plan.
- Strengthen member engagement and retention.
- Identify opportunities for revenue growth and expense management.
- Maintain a safe, welcoming, professional, and positive Club environment.
- Build confidence and trust among the Board, members, and employees.
Pay: $125,000.00 - $150,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
